LBM!!! Pinkys NS Diary

katieclampet

Hi Pinky, sounds like you are still motivated, and doing well. Im sure you will feel better when you have a good tidy round and clearout. Getting some more stuff listed on e bay will clear some more space and earn some more cash (hopefully). Could you look at getting some 2nd hand school unifrms? That might save you a bit, and maybe ask your family for some money towards the photos, or even just take some nice photos yourself.
There are some good tips on the old style money saving forum that you might find useful.

katiex

Pinky15

Thanks KClampet and FFresian your comments are appreciated and help keep me motivated. i sat down today and added what we spent last month on food and was absolutely gutted! It came to £324!!!!! eeeek
Even DD1 said "what a lot"!! Feeling quite ashamed as we don't need to spend anywhere near this amount really.
So to keep myself motivated and hit the £150 target for food shopping I am ----
- Going to note down how much I spend and keep a running total - that way I can see how much is being spent.
-Meal plan - I have already done a shop today and stocked up on items I have decided to use in my meal planning.
Here goes - £77.00
Total spend so far £77.00

Pinky15

Here we go
During the day I have 1 on school dinners, and the other 4 of us on packed lunches. That will be a combination of sandwiches, sausage rolls, crachers etc.
I need to go to the butchers tomorrow and get
- 4 chicken breasts
- 5 packs of sausages
- 4 pcks of mince
- stewing steak
The meat as above will form many parts of my meal plans for the month.
Here is my meal planner for the week -
Sunday lunch - soup & sandwiches/ tea chicken dinner
chicken will be used for sandwiches for monday.
Monday - pm - shepherds pie
Tuesday - pm - ravioli & mash - DH - Grilled chicken
Wedesday - pm Quiches, potatos an veg
Thursday - pm - Sausage, chips & Beans
Friday - pm - Chicken casserole & veg
So total spend so far remains as above - once I have stocked up a the butchers I will update the total.:rotfl:

Pinky15

Went to aldi today as DH forgot yogs and mince.
I bought - yogs (enough for 2 weeks)
Biscuits bars for p lunches
Dessert for tonight ( enough for tomorrow also)
20 various tins
I spent £23
My total shopping spend so far £100

katieclampet

I find meal planning very helpful, saves me lots of time and saves me thinking about what to have for tea. Dont forget to allow for cleaning products, nappies etc. Have you counted them in your budget or are do you have a separete amount allocated for them? Lidl is also very good for special offers, depending on what you and your family like. I love there chocolate, very yummy and very cheap.

katiex

Pinky15

Quick update spent £1 on biccies for work - my turn.
Total spent £101.00
Keeping myself motivated. Also I have 12 hours overtime for next month - whoo hoo! That will be another £90 ish in the pot - might keep me out of the dreaded overdraft!!! x

Pinky15

£103.87 - milk & choccie bar!
Total so far for July £103.87p

Pinky15

Spent £5 on chips - naughty I know but was very stressed so took the easy option.
Total spend so far £108.87
Tea tonight organised - Beans cheese and potatos for kids
Sat - picnic lunch at park - sat tea - casserole
Sun - lunch at MIL!

Pinky15

Total so far £ 118.87 - brough bananas and milk - perhaps investing in a cow and some fruit trees would save me a fortune!

Pinky15

Well had a good day today. Budgetting £30 for a day out for all of us ended up coming to £16 including lunch. I also took drinks and additional snacks for the children which saved me!!
I got a quidco payment today for £7 - every little bit helps. other than that haven't done an awful lot!!
Tomorrow lunch at MIL's which is always lovely. I have a few little jobs such as
- kids reading & homework
- hoover all stairs, rugs and house
- sweep and mop all downstairs - use lots of bleach lol!